Understanding Your Options — PIA vs. DSA

Two Proven Paths Out Of Personal Debt

If you’re overwhelmed by debt, you may be eligible for a legally approved debt solution. We’ll help you understand the options and take the next step toward freedom.

What Are PIA and DSA?

Personal Insolvency Arrangements (PIA) and Debt Settlement Arrangements (DSA) are two debt solutions introduced under Ireland’s Personal Insolvency legislation. They’re designed to give people a way out of unsustainable debt — while protecting their home, their dignity, and their future.

Both are approved by the courts
Both protect you from creditors once in place
Both are handled confidentially — no public shame, no judgment

The Difference Between PIA and DSA

	DSA – Debt Settlement Arrangement	PIA – Personal Insolvency Arrangement
What it covers	Unsecured debts only (credit cards, personal loans, utility bills, etc.)	Both secured and unsecured debts (e.g., mortgage arrears + personal loans)
Main goal	Reduce or write off unsecured debts	Protect your home while dealing with mortgage and other debts
Typical term	3–5 years	Up to 6 years (sometimes shorter or longer depending on case)
Ideal for	Tenants, renters, or homeowners without mortgage arrears	Homeowners under pressure from mortgage lenders or vulture funds

What they cover:

DSA: Unsecured debts only(credit cards, personal loans, utility bills, etc.)
PIA: Both secured and unsecured debts(e.g., mortgage arrears + personal loans)

Main goals:

DSA: Reduce or write off unsecured debts
PIA: Protect your home while dealing with mortgage and other debts

Typical term

DSA: 3–5 years
PIA: Up to 6 years (sometimes shorter or longer depending on case)

Ideal for:

DSA: Tenants, renters, or homeowners without mortgage arrears
PIA: Homeowners under pressure from mortgage lenders or vulture funds

Still unsure which applies to you?

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How The Process Works

Step 1: Initial Consultation With Alan

We assess your situation and outline your options.

Step 2: We Prepare Your Application

You’ll work with our team to gather the required information. We’ll then draft and submit your application.

Step 3: You Receive A Protective Certificate

This gives you legal protection — creditors must stop pursuing you.

Step 4: We Negotiate With Creditors

Alan, as your Personal Insolvency Practitioner, proposes a solution your creditors vote on.

Step 5: Court Approval & Implementation

If approved, it becomes a legally binding agreement. You follow the agreed plan — and we manage everything from there.

The first step feels like the hardest.
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Why People Choose PIA or DSA?

Keep Your Home (PIA)

These arrangements are designed to keep people in their homes — not lose them.

Write Off Unsecured Debt

DSA and PIA can dramatically reduce what you owe — giving you a manageable repayment plan.

Stop The Letters And Phone Calls

Once your Protective Certificate is granted, all creditor actions must stop.

Start Fresh With A Clean Slate

When your arrangement is complete, you’re solvent — and the rest of your debt is written off.

We’ve helped over 600 people regain control.
We can help you too.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Personal Insolvency Solutions that a Personal Insolvency Practitioner can provide?

There are two Personal Insolvency solutions that a Personal Insolvency Practitioner can provide:

A PIA, or Personal Insolvency Arrangement is for both secured and unsecured debt.

A DSA or Debt Settlement Arrangement is for unsecured debt only.

Both resolution mechanism are legally binding and supported by law. Every month you pay your creditors one affordable payment through your Personal Insolvency Practitioner who in turn distributes that payment to your creditors. Any unsecured debt balances that remain after the PIA or DSA is complete are written off, while secured debt balances are dealt with according to the terms of the PIA agreement.

What is a Personal Insolvency practitioner (PIP)?

A Personal Insolvency Practitioner is the person who sets up and administers your PIA/DSA throughout its term. They talk to your creditors, deal with any court proceedings, and run your PIA/DSA on a daily basis until you have made all the payments you have committed to and are discharged.

How long does a PIA/DSA last?

A PIA can last from 6 months to six years, although sometimes depending on events it can be extended by a year if you have an emergency and have to take a payment break.

A DSA has a maximum duration of 5 years which can be extended by a year if you have an emergency and have to take a payment break.

What debts can be included in a PIA/DSA?

A DSA is for unsecured debts that would mainly be loans, credit cards, store cards and overdrafts.

PIAs differ from other debt resolution mechanisms in that you must have at least one secured debt to apply. Unsecured debts can also be included. Secured debts would include mortgage arrears, hire purchase agreements and any loans secured to a property that you can no longer afford to pay.

Do I have to actually live in Ireland to have a PIA/DSA?

Yes, you have to have lived in Ireland for the 12 months prior to starting the process of applying for a PIA or a DSA.

Will I have to sell my home?

One benefit of a PIA or DSA is that you will not be asked to sell your home. You may be asked to release some equity from it if this is available and if you can find a lender willing to re-mortgage. The one exception to this is if the costs of running your home greatly exceed expected costs and are far beyond your budget, in this case your PIP will look at whether it would make financial sense for you to move somewhere less expensive.

What if I have a buy-to-let property but I’m renting at the moment?

In general, buy-to-let properties will typically be sold to reduce debt and restore you to solvency.

What will happen to my assets if I have a PIA/DSA?

Use of your assets to help mitigate your debts are down to the discretion of your PIA/DSA. It is unlikely you will be allowed by your debtors to carry a large balance of assets while they are only getting a percentage of what they are owed.

Will I lose my car?

PIPs have specific rules to abide by concerning cars, although they are able to use some discretionary powers within those rules. Generally, if you live and work in a city with good public transport links you may have to prove a solid financial case for keeping your car if public transport is cheaper. If however you have to travel some distance to your place of work or live rurally then you will be able to use a car. Two car households will be assessed to see if they can reduce to one car. A car value of €5,000 is deemed acceptable in most cases.

Could I lose my job if I have a PIA/DSA?

In our considerable experience to date, not one client has lost employment due to entering into a PIA or DSA.

Could a PIA/DSA stop me getting a job?

The Personal Insolvency legislation does not require that you inform an employer that you are in an arrangement. Many persons whom we have assisted have changed jobs while in arrangements.

Can I have a PIA/DSA if I am self-employed?

Being self-employed is no impediment to having a PIA/DSA. As long as you fulfil the eligibility requirements and have an income that could provide a surplus every month to pay to your creditors you can apply for a PIA/DSA.

Can I have a PIA/DSA if I am unemployed?

Yes you can in circumstances where you might be lucky enough to have third party assistance or assets that can be encashed.

Do I have to deal with my creditors?

Once your Protective Certificate is in place you will no longer have to deal with your creditors. They must go through your PIP at all times. If they ring you can simply give them your PIP’s contact details and request they speak to them.

Does a PIA/DSA affect my credit rating?

Yes, a PIA/DSA will affect your credit rating and it is unavoidable. However, if you are applying for a PIA/DSA your credit rating has already been affected. By completing a PIA/DSA you will begin the journey/process to restoring your credit rating.

What if I change my mind and don’t want to do the PIA/DSA anymore?

Once you have started your PIA/DSA and change your mind, the consequences can be very serious. First, if you cease making payments your PIA/DSA will be deemed to have failed. Once this happens your creditors can take action against your immediately to recover their money. The PIA/DSA holds your creditors at bay only while you are paying it. A PIA/DSA can only be entered into once in your lifetime.

Can I keep an inheritance or lottery win?

In general, 75% of winnings will go into a PIA/DSA.

Can I keep a credit card?

Under the rules of a PIA/DSA you cannot take on any more than €650 of credit without being legally required to tell the lender. As it stands, you may find that your PIA/DSA is flagged up to any credit card provider when they do a credit check on you, so you may be turned down by them for credit as a result.

Can I keep my bank account?

You can keep your account where you keep it in credit. The banks however can and do apply set off against a debtor’s account whereby they will take funds in credit to set off against debt owing on the date that a Protective Certificate issues. For this reason we advise all debtors who are pursuing a PIA/DSA to open a new account with a bank that they do not have any debts with.

For access to the ISI website and more detailed information, please follow this link.

Why Clients Choose Us?

Thousands Of Cases Handled. Countless Lives Changed.

Over 600 Insolvency Arrangements Completed

We’re one of Ireland’s most experienced insolvency firms — with a proven track record of success.

We Combine Legal & Insolvency Expertise

Some firms only do one or the other. We do both.

You Deal With Alan, Not A Junior

From day one, you meet with Alan McGee — a solicitor, Personal Insolvency Practitioner, and author of Personal Insolvency Law in Ireland.

100% Confidential. 100% On Your Side.

We treat every case with empathy and discretion. There’s no shame — just real solutions.

It doesn’t have to be the way it is right now. Let’s solve this. Together.

Still Have Questions?

You’re not alone — and you’re not stuck. The sooner you act, the more we can do.
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